Volumetric controlled crankcase ventilation systems



March 22, 1966 o. F. JONES 3,241,537

VOLUMETRIC CONTROLLED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEMS Original Filed Nov.6. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A 32 34 i 4 22 \ll 22 41 I 42 a H .4 3e 36 I TA 30 W 44 44 1% /fi fio 25 26\ -26 w H6 2 2i 53 VENTOR.

OSCA F JONES ATTORNEYS March 22, 1966 o. F. JONES 3,241,537

VOLUMETRIC CONTROLLED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEMS Original Filed Nov.6. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TO lNTAKE MANIFOLD CRANKCASE VAPORS 58INVENTOR.

OSCAR F JONES FIG.6

ATTORNEYS March 22, 1966 o. F. JONES 3,241,537

VOLUMETRIC CONTROLLED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEMS Original Filed Nov.6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. OSCAR E JONES BYuaaPJaM ATTORNEYSMarch 22, 1966 o. F. JONES 3 241 537 VOLUMETRIC CONTROLLED CRANKGASEVENTILATION SYSTEMS Original Filed Nov. 6, 1961 5 Sheets--Sheet 4INVENTOR. OSCAR F JONES ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,241,537VOLUMETREC CONTROLLED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEMS Oscar F. Jones, 1716Andover Court, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Original application Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 152,709, now Patent No.3,164,141, dated Jan. 5, 1965. Divided and this application Jan. 4,1965, Ser. No. 443,729

8 Claims. (Cl. 123--119) This is a divisional application of SN. 152,709now US. Patent 3,164,141, issued January 5, 1965, and copendinghere-with.

This invention relates to ventilation systems for the crankcase andrelated chambers for internal combustion engines. More particularly, itrelates to a volumetric control for such systems.

It is a well established fact that blow-by gases and vapors, such aswater and unburned fuel, enter the crankcase lubricating oil chamber andother associated chambers during the operation of an internal combustionengine. These blow-by gases and vapors occur by leakages past thecylinder during the cycle of operation and, if not removed, contaminatethe lubricating oil. Modern lubricants in use today contain manyadditives for suspending and emulsifying extraneous particles picked upfrom the atmosphere and blow-by vapors, plus gums, tars and acidsgenerated by the combustion process. Ventilating or scavenging systemshave been provided for removing these undesirable particles into theatmosphere. It has been found, however, that the release of such vaporsand gases into the atmosphere is directly related to the creation of asmog atmosphere. Some systems have been provided to prevent suchatmospheric conditions by establishing communication between thecrankcase interior and the vacuum pressure source existing in the engineintake manifold. These latter systems, however, have been plagued withthe problem of adequate volumetric control of the undesirable vapors,solids, and so on, under all conditions of the engine operation. When anengine is running at idling speed and minimum load conditions, thethrottle valve of the carburetor is substantially closed and hencedevelops a maximum vacuum downstream of the throttle valve. During sucha phase of engine operation, there is a minimum of leakage of gases,vapors and solids into the crankcase chambers. However, as the throttleis moved to a loaded or more fully opened position, the manifold vacuumpressure approaches atmospheric pressure conditions. At the same time,the amount of blowby gases, vapors and solids emitted into the crankcaseand related chambers is increased. Accordingly, it is highly desirablethat an efiicient crankcase ventilation system be provided that iscapable of volumetrically controlling the connection between thecrankcase chambers and the intake manifold.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a volumetriccontrol for ventilation systems of internal combustion engine crankcasesand its related chambers which overcomes the objections existing withpresent and prior devices and results in a desirable condition for allengine operation conditions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a volumetric controlfor crankcase ventilation systems which will reduce the smog producingcharacteristics of internal combustion engines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a volumetric control forinternal combustion engine crankcase ventilation which increases theoverall engine efiiciency, horsepower, cleanliness and minimizes wear.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a unique valve forcontrolling flow volume between the vapor space of a crankcase of aninternal combustion 3,241,537 Patented Mar. 22, 1966 ice engine whichadequately controls the flow volume to the intake manifold of saidengine.

A yet additional object is to provide a valve which has a minimum offractional contact and hence is not effected by the accumulation ofgums, tars, corrosive vapors, which might cause other valves to stickunder the changing manifold vacuum conditions.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a volumetriccontrol for use with filtered and unfiltered crankcase ventilationsystems.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent uponfurther reading of the specification and claims when taken inconjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of the volumetric control valve for usewith this invention in the operative condition of the highest manifoldvacuum.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the volumetric control valve of thisinvention in the position of reduced manifold vacuum or load conditionsof an internal combustion engine.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the valve piston used in thevolumetric control valve.

FIGURES 4 and 5 are top and bottom plan views respectively of the valvepiston used in the volumetric control valve of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective View, partially in cross-section, of acrankcase filter system as used in combination with the volumetriccontrol valve of this invention.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are sectional views: taken along the lines 77 and 8-8respectively of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of anadditional embodiment of use of this invention.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FlGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a still further embodiment of use of the volumetricventilation control system of this invention, as used with diesel typeinternal combustion engines.

FIGURE 12 shows the relationship of flow and vacuum.

FIGURE 13 is a table showing valve dimensions for engines of varyingdisplacement.

General description In general, this invention provides a volumetriccontrol valve and piston for internal combustion engine crankcaseventilation from the crankcase vapor chamber to the intake manifoldchamber for all load conditions. The valve body has a piston of designto provide a minimum of surface contact between the valve body and thepiston. The valve is adaptable to be used with specially designedfiltered and non-filtered ventilation systems and is also effective ineliminating smog.

Specific description Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, the numeral 20 isused to generally designate the volumetric control valve of thisinvention. The (valve comprises a body portion 22 with an inletconnector 24 threadably attached at 26 to the valve body. This closureincludes threaded inlet opening 28 into the interior chamber 30 of thevalve body. An outlet opening 32 is provided at the opposite end andincludes threads 34 for connection to various conduits, tu bing etc.Bet-ween the interior chamber 30 and the outlet 32 are a series ofstep-down orifices. An upper beveled surface 36 terminates with a firstcircular orifice 38. A beveled surface 40 extends upwardly and inwardlyto the next adjacent smaller orifice 42, which terminates with outlet32. Although the step-down orifices are shown the volumetric control islargely dependent on the size of orifice 42 with respect to the orificerestrictions or" the valve piston 44 which is operable within chamber 30and the associated orifices above de- 3 scribed, and which is bestdescribed by reference to FIG- URES 3, 4 and 5.

The main body of the piston is triangular in crosssection as shown andterminates at its upper portion for operation with the orificingrestrictions between the chamber 36 and the outlet 32. Typically, theserestrictions include a first cylindrical portion 46 and a secondcylindrical portion 48 whose diameter is slightly less than the diameterof cylindrical portion 46. In some instances, a constant diameterorifice restriction is used. For the most part, portion 48 is caused tobe operative within orifice 42 during periods of load, i.e., when vacuumis approaching atmospheric pressure. Conversely, portion 46 is operativeto restrict orifice 42 during idle or high vacuum conditions. Thatportion of piston 44 adjacent the inlet end is designated by the numeral50 which is substantially horizontal and of diameter substantially lessthan the diameter of the bevelled edge situated in the threaded closuremember 24. Each corner of the triangle forms edges 51, 52 and 53, and inthis embodiment a curved chamfer 54, 55 and 56 extends upwardly from therelatively horizontal portion 50. The partial dotted line shown inFIGURE 5 represents the contact surface when piston 44 rests upon thebevelled edge 25.

The configuration of the valve piston body forms an important feature ofthis invention. The triangular shape provides a minmum ofsurface-to-surface frictional contact between the valve piston and theinternal chamber in addition to the centralizing vertical movementcontrol. When the piston is in the position of FIGURE 1, the traingularpoints are the only contact with the bevelled surface 36. In theposition of FIGURE 2 the contact is between surface 25 and that portionof the chamfered surfaces shown in FIGURE 5. The importance of a lowsurface contact prevents the possible sticking and hesitation of thevalve during its vertical movement, since v-apors containing gums, tars,waxes, etc. pass through. The piston 44 is composed of a hardenedstainless steel while the body 22 is of brass, a relatively soft-ermaterial.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 6, wherein a crankcase vapor filteringapparatus 58 is described for use with or without the volumetric controlrvalve of this invention. The outside structure of the apparatusincludes a top cover portion 60 and a lower translucent jar or trap 62which are held assembled by a spring biased bale 64 which includes anoff-center lower locking latch 66. A filtering cartridge, generallydesignated by the numeral 68, includes an inner relatively rigidperforated cylindrioal portion 70'and an outer filter cloth or fibermaterial 72. The filter material 72 is sandwiched at the top of thecartridge between the inner perforated cylinder 70 and an outer flangeportion 74 to retain the cartridge in sealing engagement between theopen upper end of jar 62 and the cover 66. Release of the bale 64permits separation of the cover 60 and jar 62 and hence replacement ofthe cartridge 68. The lower end of the filter includes a bottom closureand support plate 76 which is crimped around the lower edge to retainthe filter in the shape substantially shown.

An L-shaped crankcase vapor inlet 78 extends from the top cover 60inwardly and downwardly through the cylindrical filter 68 and bottomplate 76. At the lower end thereof, and below the cylindrical filter 68,is acid reactive plate or baffie 80 which is detachably secured thereto,such as by threads 82. Preferably, the bafiie plate is of a diameterslightly less than the internal diameter of the bottom trap 62 andincludes a multiplicity of circumcferentially spaced perforations 84 topermit passage of the vapors. The trap 62 is adapted to retain separatedliquids or solids 86 therein. Because of the translucent trap 62, anindication is provided to empty the trap and/ or change the filter 68 orbafiie mechanism 80.

The inlet 78 is adapted to be connected, in one of numerous ways, to thecrankcase vapor space of an internal combustion engine. Such attachmentmay be made by closing off a vent pipe normally found in most engines,and making connection with the inlet by suitable conduit. Of course,other chambers which are directly or indirectly connected to thecrankcase vapor space are adaptable to be connected directly to theinlet conduit 78. A suitable bracketing system, not shown, is adapted topermit the apparatus of FIGURE 6 to be attached to the firewall or otherappropriate places contiguous to the internal combustion engine.Connection is usually made by flexible conduits or the like.

An adapter 88 in the top cover 60 is provided with internal threads topermit attachment of the valve housing 22. The attachment 88 is solocated so as to be in communication with the interior of thecylindrical filter element 68. Connection is made from the externalthreaded attachment 88 to the intake manifold system of the internalcombustion engine.

In the operation of the device of FIGURE 6, the flow characteristics arecontrolled by the volumetric control valve 20 as a function of manifoldvacuum. A circulatory induced draft is established in the crankcasevapor chambers by the atmosphere drawn through an oil fill vent into thevapor space, into the filter, through the volumetric control thence intothe intake manifold. The crankcase vapors typically include blow-bygases, tars, acids, water, and the like. These are drawn into the inletconduit 78 and pass downwardly near the bottom of the trap 62 where theheavier matter is separated by the reversal of flow, substantially shownby the arrows. The separated or formed vapors pass upwardly around thebafiie with the primary amount passing through the multiple perforations84. Due to the nature of baffie 80, being an acid reactive material(e.g. Zinc) causes neutralization of these acid vapors and conversioninto hydrogen gas which continues passing upwardly with the othercrankcase vapors. The vapors are then forced through the cylindricalfilter 68 from the outside inward and thence upwardly through the valve20, and attachment 88 into the intake manifold system.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 10, an additional embodiment of thisinvention is described using the volumetric valve 20. In this embodimentan internal combustion engine 90 includes a crankcase vapor space 92 andan intake manifold 94. In one embodiment a filter trap 96 includesinternal baffiing 98. The baffling includes a multiplicity ofperforations 100 which are adapted to be placed opposite an outlet 102such that the vapors from the crankcase space generally follow thedirection of the arrows through the volumetric control valve 20 intooutlet 104 into the intake manifold 94.

In the operation of this embodiment, the filter 96 causes the crankcasevapors to be separated from dense material therein which passes backinto the crankcase or is retained permitting the lighter hydrocarbonvapors, and/or water vapor, to be passed directly into the intakemanifold system for improved combustion efficiency of the internalcombustion engine 90. An alternate embodiment of this invention, usingthe volumetric control valve 20, is diagrammatically shown in FIGURE 9.In this embodiment, ordinarily direct attachment is made. However, toshow the embodiment in FIGURE 9 various shut-off and by-pass valves areused for descriptive purposes only. Valve 106 would shut ofi flowthrough the filter 96 and valve 108 permits passage of crankcase vaporsinto conduit 110 and thence into the volumetric control valve and theintake manifold. The latter embodiment of FIGURE 9 wherein crankcasevapors are fed directly by volumetric control valve 20 into the intakemanifold, an economical system of smog control is effected. In thosesystems where it is desired to provide greater filtering of the densematerial from the vapor material, filters such as that shown at 96and/or the filter system of FIGURE 6 may be utilized and thus providegreater engine performance and efliciency.

Another modification of this invention is diagrammatically shown inFIGURE 11. In this instance, a diesel engine 120 includes the typicalfuel injection system 122, and air intake valve 124 cyclically operatedby cam and follower 126 and 128 respectively. crankcase 130 includes anair breather means 132 for normally equalizing the pressure Within thecrankcase. The breather 132 may be located with respect to the crankcaseas shown, or may be located with respect to the valve housing and cover134 which permits atmospheric draft-like ventilation of the crankcase.Suitably connected to the air intake manifold 136 is filtered air inletline 138 which is downstream from filtering unit 140.. The filter unititself includes an inlet conduit 142 causing the air to be forceddownwardly across an optional oil bath section 144 and thence upwardlythrough restrictive filter element 146. It has been found that therestrictive passage of air across filter element 146 causes a slightvacuum to exist in the downstream inlet 138 to the air intake manifold.Accordingly, it has been found possible to use the crankcase vaporfiltering unit 58 with such a system without the volumetric controlvalve 20 therein. That is, crankcase vapors and air are drawn, by theslight vacuum of intake 138, from the crankcase space through conduit 48into the inlet conduit 78 with the filtrate hydrocarbon and/or waterflowing outwardly through a conduit 150 into the air intake system.Accordingly, blow-by vapors from the piston of the internal combustionengine which enter the crankcase and other impurities are thereforefiltered and utilized in the combustion process to increase theefiiciency of the diesel engine. In one test it was apparent that thecylinder deposits are softened and removed by the vapors with a 6%increase in horsepower.

FIGURE 12 is a graphic indication of the performance curves for varioustypes of volumetric control valves whose basic dimensions are shown inthe chart of FIG- URE 13. The letters A, B and C refer to dimensionsindicated in FIGURES 1 and 3. The valves are designed for variousmaximum cubic inches displacement (C.I.D.) from below 100 to around 900cubic inches.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specificand preferred embodiments, this is not to be held as limiting.Accordingly, this invention should be limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An internal combustion engine crankcase ventilation filter systemcomprising the combination of,

a cylindrical receptacle open at one end,

a top cover for said receptacle end,

a replaceable filter element extendable within said receptable andclampable between said receptacle and said cover,

a crankcase vapor inlet into said receptacle exteriorly of said filter,

a bafile plate exteriorly of said filter to cause separation of solidand liquid particles in said vapor,

an outlet to manifold vacuum of said engine in said cover connectablewith the interior of said filter element,

and a variable flow restrict-ion valve in said outlet to permitrelatively high rate of flow under low manifold vacuum and a low rate offlow under high manifold vacuum;

2. A filter system according to claim 1, wherein said baffle plate isreactive to neutralize acidic vapors in said crankcase.

3. A filter system according to claim 2, wherein said plate is zinc.

4. An internal combustion engine crankcase ventilation filter systemcomprising the combination of,

a cylindrical receptacle open at one end,

a top cover for said receptacle end,

a replaceable filter element extendable within said receptacle andclampable between said receptacle and said cover,

a crankcase vapor inlet conduit extending through said cover, anddownwardly through said filter opening slightly below said filter andsubstantially above the bottom of said receptacle,

an acid reactive baffle plate exteriorly of said filter and detachablysecured to said inlet conduit adjacent said opening and to causeseparation of solid and liquid particles in said vapor,

an outlet to manifold vacuum of said engine in said cover connectablewith the interior of said filter element,

and a variable flow restriction valve in said outlet to permitrelatively high rate of flow under low manifold vacuum and a low rate offlow under high manifold vacuum.

5. An internal combustion engine crankcase ventilation filter systemcomprising the combination of,

a cylindrical receptacle open at one end,

a top cover for said receptacle end,

a replaceable filter element extendab le within said receptacle andclampable between said receptacle and said cover,

a crankcase vapor inlet into said receptacle exteriorly of said filter,

a baffle plate exteriorly of said filter to cause separa tion of solidand liquid particles in said vapor,

an outlet to manifold vacuum of said engine in said cover connectablewith the interior of said filter element,

a volumetric control valve in said outlet for metering internalcombustion engine crankcase vapors into the intake manifold as afunction of the no-load and load vacuum therein,

a valve body having a cylindrical chamber between a lower vapor inletand an upper outlet control orifice,

a valve piston operable between said inlet and outlet,

said piston having a triangular cross-section body portion operablesubstantially within said chamber and terminating its upper end withfirst and second cylindrical restricting portions,

said first portion of diameter slightly less than the diameter of saidcontrol orifice and substantially oper able therein under said no-loadconditions,

and said second portion above said first and of diameter slightly lessthan said first portion and substantially operable within said controlorifice under load conditicins and when said body portion is at rest onsaid in et.

6. Apparatus for preventing atmospheric discharge of crankcase vaporsfrom an internal combustion engine, comprising in combination,

conduit means from said crankcase vapor space to the intake manifold ofsaid engine,

a volumetric control valve in said conduit for metering said vapors intosaid manifold. as a function of the no-load and load vacuum therein,comprising,

a valve body having a cylindrical chamber between a lower vapor inletand an upper outlet control orifice,

a valve piston operable between said inlet and outlet,

said piston having a triangular cross-section body portion operablesubstantially within said chamber and terminating its upper end withfirst and second cylindrical restricting portions,

said first portion of diameter slightly less than the diameter of saidcontrol orifice and substantially operable therein under said no-loadconditions,

and said second portion above said first and of diameter slightly lessthan said first portion and substantially operable within said controlorifice under load conditions and when said body portion is at rest onsaid inlet.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the combination includes abafile-filter means to separate dense materials from said vapors.

8. Apparatus for filtering cranckcase vapors in internal combustionengines of the diesel type having an air inlet manifold and arestrictive air filter attached to said mani fold causing a slightvacuum in said manifold, comprising in combination,

a cylindrical receptacle open at one end,

a top cover for said receptacle end,

a replaceable filter element extendable within said receptacle andclarnpable between said receptacle and said cover,

a crankcase vapor inlet into said receptacle exteriorly of said filter,

an acid reactive baffle plate exteriorly of said filter to causeseparation of solid and liquid particles in said vapor,

an outlet in said cover connectable with the interior of said filterelement,

means to connect said inlet with said crankcase vapor space, and meansto connect said outlet with said manifold.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,990,657 2/1935Krieck 123-119 2,113,447 4/1938 Hardingev 2,604,186 7/ 1952 Beckett.

2,731,958 1/1956 Robley 123-119 2,742,057 4/1956 Krieck.

KARL J. ALBRECHT, Primary Examiner.

8. APPARATUS FOR FILTERING CRANKCASE VAPORS IN INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES OF THE DIESEL TYPE HAVING AN AIR INLET MANIFOLD AND ARESTRICTIVE AIR FILTER ATTACHED TO SAID MANIFOLD CAUSING A SLIGHT VACUUMIN SAID MANIFOLD, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A CYLINDRICAL RECEPTACLEOPEN AT ONE END, A TOP COVER FOR SAID RECEPTACLE END, A REPLACEABLEFILTER ELEMENT EXTENDABLE WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLE AND CLAMPABLE BETWEENSAID RECEPTACLE AND SAID COVER, A CRANKCASE VAPOR INLET INTO SAIDRECEPTACLE EXTERIORLY OF SAID FILTER, AN ACID REACTIVE BAFFLE PLATEEXTERIORLY OF SAID FILTER TO CAUSE SEPARATION OF SOLID AND LIQUIDPARTICLES IN SAID VAPOR, AN OUTLET IN SAID COVER CONNECTABLE WITH THEINTERIOR OF SAID FILTER ELEMENT, MEANS TO CONNECT SAID INLET WITH SAIDCRANKCASE VAPOR SPACE, AND MEANS TO CONNECT SAID OUTLET WITH SAIDMANIFOLD.